Photographer: Fumihiko Ikemoto
This is a residence for two families, situated in a
residential area of Tokyo, away from the high-rises and busy streets of Shinjuku.
This is mainly composed of the stair space which has 4 stories height like a foyer
space and other life spaces. All life spaces that bedroom, kitchen, living and
bathroom are connected with this foyer. It means the foyer is public space for
two families. I tried to design the scenery which is composed of daily life of
two families; Entered at this foyer, someone appears unexpectedly from some
doors.
Concerning the structure, this house is shaped like an
umbrella. The foyer space which built with 300mm thickness concrete walls works
as a huge pillar. The thin exterior wall hangs down from top of this pillar to
the 1st floor. Since each floor slabs are made with wooden beams, it
can make other rooms if family life will change in size.
This foyer means double connection; connecting alley
of closely-spaced residence area to a roof panorama terrace in the city, at the
same time connecting two families in the house.